Sharks vs Jets 160102

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With a 5-10 home record in the first three months of the season, the Sharks hope to improve that on their current home stand, with their first three games of 2016.

Jets are coming to San Jose as the second stop on their five game road trip (longest of the season). Trip started with 2-4 loss in Arizona, their sixth straight road loss. Coach Maurice is looking for answers.

Sharks have had two days off and don’t play next until Thursday, so the bench could get real short if the team gets behind. Sharks are hoping a healthy roster will allow players to slot in where they can play best (and win games).

Update: Jones vs Hellebuyck (starting goalies)

Barracuda @ Condors 160102

Barracuda sign Jesse Mychan to PTO.  (Scott Timmins has also been released from his PTO and signed to a SPC.)

Condors have added Zack Kassian (acquired in trade) and Nikita Nikitin to their roster recently.  Both players looking to prove something to the organization (and themselves) to get back to the NHL.

Condors are having a Minions giveaway on Saturday.

Barracuda are 2-1-0-1 against the Condors so far this season.

Cundari (and Team Canada) won the Spengler Cup 12/31.  Not sure when he’ll be back in the lineup for the Barracuda.  (Perhaps not Saturday, nor Sunday; more likely by Wednesday?)

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Cuda notch first win of the season in the shootout.  Langlois was the only shooter to score in the 7th round of the shootout.

Barracuda vs Checkers 151230

Back to face the Checkers again.  Guessing that Grosenick will get the start.

Sixth double header of the season today.

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Prior to the game, Matt Tennyson was assigned to the Barracuda on a conditioning stint.  He did play in the game.  Dell got the start.

Game felt very different from Monday, even though most of the personnel was the same.  More like a back-and-forth game.  Checkers scored first; then the ‘Cuda scored twice and took the lead, and then the Checkers tied it up in regulation. ‘Cuda had THREE PPs (including some 5-on-3) in OT, but did not score. Lerg was the only player to score in the shootout, giving the team the win.  On to Bakersfield for a game on Saturday.

Sharks vs Flyers 151230

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PK was horrible on Monday — four goals given up (most since 1997!).  A team is not going to win if it gives up that many PP in this age.  Sigh.  Sharks are 4-10 at home this season.

Now on to the next opponent.  It looks like Couture **might** be ready to get back into play.

Flyers are looking to avoid a second loss to the Sharks this season, and avoid back-to-back losses (they lost 2-4 to Ducks on Sunday). After clearing waivers, Gagner has been assigned to AHL and Streit has been activated from IR. Del Zotto missed Sunday’s game due to injury; questionable for game.

Check twitter feeds for confirmation on starters and roster moves.

Sharks vs Avalanche 151228

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Sharks scored 4 unanswered goals, including three in the third, to win in LA 5-3 before the break.  Pavelski had two goals, and an assist. Burns and Thornton each had a goal and an assist.  Jones gave up a couple of goals early in the game, but got stronger, and the D kept the puck out of the zone more as well.

Sharks then had five days before this game.  Practice on 12/26 and 12/27 before getting back at it in a double header 12/28. Couture and Ward have returned to practice, but Couture is still out.

The Avs hosted the Coyotes Sunday (losing in OT), before heading to San Jose. MacKinnon has been on a goal drought and lost his “Nine Line” wingers. Iginla scored his 599th goal. Avs are wary of new captain Pavelski, who seems to come up big against them.

Barracuda vs Checkers 151228

Fast turn around from Sunday evening game to Monday afternoon.

Doremus, Timmins and McLaren were out injured yesterday and probably won’t be in the line up today.  With Grosenick staring Sunday, Dell maybe getting the start Monday.

Fifth of 13 Barracuda-Shark double headers today.

Charlotte is without a goalie and defenseman who are in Europe for the Spengler Cup.  They are starting a six-game California road trip.  They are on a five-game point streak, but historically have had issues after holiday breaks. Checkers are eyeing a “crossover” playoff spot which would be replacing the Barracuda in the playoff race, if it started today.

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After 40 minutes, the Barracuda were up 1-0.  But 4 unanswered goals in the 3rd dashed hopes of seeing the team in a playoff position.

Barracuda vs Heat 151227

Break over, time to get back to work.

Mark Cundari has been loaned to Team Canada for the Spengler Cup.  (Runs December 26 through 31.)  (Former Sharks James Sheppard and Manny Malhotra are also on the team.) Rick Pinkston has been recalled from ECHL to fill in.

Heat will be without their captain Johnson, who is also in Europe for the Spengler Cup. And coming in late from Saturday night game in Bakersfield, losing 3-5.  Mitchell Heard has been recalled for game.

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Barclay Goodrow scored two, which was more than enough to beat the Heat on Sunday.  Three additional goals were scored by Emmanuelson, Lerg and Parkes.  Barracuda were 1 for 5 on PP and only gave up one goal on PK in 6 opportunities. Barracuda are now one win away from a playoff spot in the division.

Back at it on Monday afternoon as the Barracuda host the Charlotte Checkers.

Sharks @ Kings 151222

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Sharks fell behind the defending Stanley Cup champions, took but could not hold onto two one-goal leads; however they salvaged a point, losing in OT. Karlsson missed the game with the flu; Ward was out injued.  Karlsson may be available for Tuesday, but Ward may not be back.

The Kings return home for one game before the Christmas break, on a similar cross-country road trip (playing many of the same opponents).

They lead the division (and the Sharks in 2nd) by 8 points.

With a four day break, I’m guessing that Jones will start for the Sharks.  And probably Quick for the Kings.

Barracuda vs Heat 151220

Barracuda have this final game before they get the week off for Christmas (back to practice on Saturday 12/26).  Goodrow assigned to Barracuda.

Heat are coming off the first AHL California outdoor game (they won).  Rescheduled from Friday night to Saturday afternoon due to rain.

Guessing it might be Grosenick in nets today.  Check twitter for updates.

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Barracuda fell behind 0-3, and then scored in bunches (including 3 goals in 50 seconds) — totally five straight, Grosenick made a save-of-the-year candidate (made top 5 on ESPN, notice on Sportsnet and The Hockey News).  Barracuda win 5-4.  McLaren had a rock-em-sock–em fight in the first (broken nose); did not return to the game.

Now the team has off until 12/26 (practice).  Next game 12/27 against these same Heat.

Sharks @ Blackhawks 151220

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Penultimate game of the road trip; penultimate game before their Christmas break.

Sharks come off a 4-2 loss in Ottawa.

I expect Jones to be in nets for the Sharks.  Goodrow assigned to Barracuda on Friday (in advance of holiday roster freeze); might have cleared enough cap to activate Smith off IR.

Blackhawks won in Buffalo Saturday afternoon, with Crawford in net.

Check the twitter lists for updates on who’s in/out.